Page 8 of Home of the Brave

“You deserve all the opportunities you’ve been getting. You’ve worked hard and proven yourself. You might not see it, but you’re a leader on this team.”

I smiled, accepting the compliment, but it wasn’t this team I was worried about. This was my family. I put my heart and soul into this organization, and they reciprocated.

It was taking on a whole new team and having to create and maintain good chemistry with less time together than we had for the Olympics.

At least most of those guys would be there again. Almost all of them were invited to this tournament, but I’d be playing against half of them on the East Coast team.

“It will be fun.”

“Are you stating that or trying to convince yourself?” she teased.

“Both.” I let out a small laugh. “It will be fun once I get there and have a chance to meet up with the guys and settle, it will be a good time.”

“Exactly.” She reached into her back pocket. “Derek asked me to give you this.”

She handed me a folded piece of paper, and I opened it enough to see a few paragraphs of his handwriting. “He wrote me a love letter?”

She laughed. "Apparently."

“He does know how to email or text, right?”

She swatted my arm. “He’s being thoughtful—let it happen.”

“Have you read this?”

“No, he made me promise not to peek.”

I scanned the first line and shook my head. “He’s going to be in DC, with us. He could just talk to me then.”

“Not for a few days.” She took a step back. “You can tease him all you want when you see him. I’ve done my part.” She turned and headed back down the hall. “I’ll see you on the plane.”

I waited until she turned a corner before smoothing out the sheet and reading it over.

Henson,

If I know you, and I do, you’re freaking out right now. Don’t. You were picked to be my backup for a reason. You were the best choice. You were selected for the Olympic team because you were the best our nation had to offer. Now, you’re representing the Western Conference because, once again, you’re the best goalie in the league.

Stop doubting yourself. I can hear you from here. At home. Which is pretty far from your house and the arena, so seriously, shut up.

I told you I had a tough time meshing with the team when I first arrived. It took Amelia warming up to me for the guys to let me in. You don’t have a wife, or even a girlfriend, to use to win people over, so I’ll let you borrow mine for the tournament. But only to make friends. Everyone loves her, so she can put in a good word for you.

No. Don’t do that. You can’t wait for her to help you win over your teammates. You don’t have that kind of time.

So seriously, if you’re going to continue to take my rightful place at huge events like these, you better step up. Be the glue.

Teams look to their goalie to gauge a game. If you’re nervous, they are. If you suck, they do. If you get in your head, so do they. You win, they win. You block shots, they make them.

Get it?

Good, now here’s what you’re going to do…

I shook my head when I finished reading and folded the paper back up before shoving it into my duffle bag.

He was losing it in his retirement. He had too much time on his hands and needed an outlet away from hockey. I should recommend some hobbies, like pottery or needlepoint.

I’d become immune to his teasing over the years, but saying I’m taking his spots made me laugh, like I’m sure it was intended.

From time to time, when he was more bored than normal, he’d show up to our practice rink, geared up, and pretend like he never left. He’d be on the ice, blocking shots with the guys, and the coaches let it happen.